By LAUREN KASZUBA
Co-Arts Editor
“‘Two Step’!” the guy who sat next to me in the crowd yelled to Dave Matthews Band. “Play ‘Two Step’!”
I yelled with him, agreeing.
Of course, Dave nor his band could hear us from that far back.
I have to reminisce before I begin to tell the story of my experience seeing Dave Matthews Band live for the first time ever on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at Times Union Center.
I grew up in Syracuse, NY, a popular place for Dave Matthews Band to stop every summer. No, I mean, every summer, usually right before Saratoga Performing Arts Center. I remember in 2009 they sold out the local minor league baseball stadium near my house. I was probably around 10 years old during that time and I had no idea why Syracuse was so obsessed with Dave Matthews Band, but I sure did just accept the fact that Syracuse was indeed obsessed.
Flash forward to my senior year of high school and my economics teacher played “Ants Marching” for my class. There they were again, the band I only knew two things about: the lead singer was most likely a guy named Dave Matthews and holy cow, people were only getting more obsessed with this band.
I had never heard any other song besides “Ants Marching” until I started listening to the band last year around the time I became a junior in college. I can’t say I remember why I started listening to them, but I guarantee it has to do with the appeal ‘Cuse places on them.
Ever since I started listening to Dave Matthews Band, I had wanted to see them in concert. Actually, I think by the time I got to the fourth song, I told myself I was going to go see them eventually. I just didn’t know when.
I finally got my chance to see them last Wednesday.
I had never been to the Times Union Center prior to the concert. People definitely noticed I’ve never been there before, either, because it took me about five minutes to realize that to get where I was sitting, which was lower level 130, I had to walk through a curtain.
I took my seat taking this concert on solo. I was more than thrilled to be going alone, surprisingly. While none of my friends seemed to be Dave Matthews Band fans, I had so much college stress under my belt. I looked forward to having a fun and relaxing evening with the band and, well, what would be about a couple thousand of my closest friends for the night.
When the band walked out on stage, I had that feeling I usually have at every concert: Wow, that is actually them, in person. When they started playing, however, I was blown away. It was the first concert that I have ever been to where it sounded like I was listening to songs right off the album. I can explicitly remember that when the band was performing “What Would You Say,” I couldn’t believe how similar it sounded to the album version.
The band, in my opinion, is the most talented band I have ever listened to. I know, that’s a strong statement for me to say. Bold, isn’t it? Does it help for me to say that I’m getting a tattoo of lyrics from one of their songs after Christmas? That’s how dedicated I’ve become to this band. I think there’s something in the Syracuse air that caused me to pick up the Dave Matthews Band obsession.
I want to note how nice the band’s fans are. I haven’t been to many concerts where you feel like you’re all singing as one big family. Sure, there are concerts where the crowd is singing together, but this felt different. I felt like I had known these people forever, every song we sang together. A feeling like that is extremely chilling and powerful. Nothing beats singing “Samurai Cop (Oh Joy Begin)” with some people you said hi to, especially with a large crowd at Times Union Center. Also, I have to say that every time Dave himself said “Thank you,” after a song or two, the venue lost it. We all went crazy.
It has been a rough semester and I was more than excited to go to this concert. One of the moments I will never forget is the drummer, Carter Beauford, smiling like there was no tomorrow. To see him and Dave smile at each other…I knew I was in a place that was full of nothing but positive vibes and that band was going to make sure I had a damn good time.
The fans are dedicated, I should mention that, too. They love the band and I feel like some of them love the band more than they love themselves. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It just makes me feel pretty great to know that I’m part of such a dedicated fanbase. Also, Dave Matthews Band is always on tour, and it totally beats having to sit through the wait for an artist to go on tour. So, if you’re looking for a new artist to listen to and that you would like to see often, try Dave Matthews Band. I will say that it seems to be an “acquired sound” for some, but maybe try a few songs. If you’re looking for albums to listen to as a whole, I recommend starting out with “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King” and/or “Under the Table and Dreaming.”
Even better, I recommend going to see them live before anything. Seeing them live allows one to be exposed to true talent. I’m not just talking Dave himself, either – this whole band is incredibly, insanely talented. I know that could be an investment, though. Ticket prices for them aren’t the cheapest, but trust me, every part of it is extremely worth it.
When I was leaving the Times Union Center, desperately looking for where my Uber could pick me up considering a good portion of South Pearl Street in downtown Albany was blocked off, I stopped at the State Street crosswalk. I heard an Albany police officer turn his siren on and I heard someone then say “wave.”
“Wave at the police?” I thought, confused.
Multiple tour buses followed behind them, at a decent speed. I couldn’t tell whose bus was whose at first, even though I stood in front of a large crowd at the crosswalk. My eyes, however, picked up on the third or fourth tour bus.
And that was the night Dave Matthews and I made eye contact on State Street, waving at each other.
Thank you for the beautiful going away gift, Albany.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.
